International Investor Magazine Autumn 2021

INTERNATIONAL

AVA : “A C O H E S I V E C O N C E P T F O R A F U T U R E A I R L I N E ” TURKEY - READY FOR TRANSFORMATION IN GLOBAL ECONOMY

Invest Durban Best FDI Agency DOMINION FUNDS ALWAYS RESEARCHING INVESTMENT IDEAS MULTIBANK GROUP WINS AWARD AND EXPANDS PRESENCE IN CRYPTOCURRENCY CAYE INTERNATIONAL BANK - BEST OFFSHORE BANK – CARICOM 2021 LUIGI WEWEGE – PRIVATE BANKER OF THE YEAR CARICOM 2021 FOR 2021

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H O W A R E P O L I S H C O M PA N I E S A D A P T I N G T O N E W R E G U L AT I O N S

EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK ON THE PANDEMIC AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

JAGUAR I-PACE

ELECTRIC HAS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD.

Fuel Consumption: N/A. CO 2 Emissions: 0 (g/km). EV Range: Up to 292 miles/470 km. The figures provided are a result of offi cial manufacturer’s and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment, accessories fitted, actual route HSE EV400 with optional Black Exterior Pack, Fixed panoramic roof, Privacy Glass and 20” Style 5068, 5-spoke Gloss Black wheels. Market specification,

tests in accordance with EU legislation with a fully charged battery. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. Energy consumption and battery condition. Range figures are based upon production vehicle over a standardised route. Model shown is European specification I-PACE efficiency format and availability will vary, check with your local authorised Retailer.

Editor’s Note This year was the aftermath of a pandemic, with market crashes, race for vaccines and virus variants that kept the world on hold. Expecting what 2022 may bring, in this edition we focus on projections for this new year. Africa as the region with more challenges ahead, we discuss how the lack of an efficient and strategic response against the pandemic is affecting the continent (p.42).

The European Investment Bank was key in financing vaccine developers like BioNTech, which created one of the leading mRNA vaccines, a novel technology that can pave the way for vaccines to treat many other illnesses, EIB openly discussed how it was financing this project (p.46). In this line, the Investment Association has some advice on how to invest in tumultuous years (p.71) Małgorzata Rusewicz, president of IZFiA, discusses how are Polish companies adapting to new regulations, ESG issues are becoming increasingly important in Poland in the context of risk management and corporate governance of entities in the financial sector (p.12). Also, in an exclusive interview, AGRI Developments gave some recommendations for growing agricultural companies (p.17).

To finalize the year in the best way we want to congratulate all of our 2021 winners and wish them the best for this upcoming year, without them International Investor Magazine wouldn’t be possible.

Contents

Contents

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Invest in Durban

How are Polish companies adapting to new regulations?

Interview with AGRI Developments

Invest Durban delivers a world-class Metro based investor support service

ESG issues are becoming increasingly important in Poland

AGRI Developments focuses on sustainable agricultural projects in high growth developing sectors across the emerging markets

20 AVA Airlines A cohesive concept for a future airline.

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Interview with James Barnes, Director of Alpha Global Wealth

MultiBank Group Wins ‘Best Global Forex Group Award’

What separates us from our competitors are

The company will launch a global

the core values of trust, honesty and attention

cryptocurrency exchange and blockchain

to the smallest of details.

ecosystem called MEX Digital.

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42

Caye Bank: Best Private Bank and Banker in CARICOM

Dominion Funds always researching investment ideas

Africa is Ready for a New Wave of Foreign Direct Investments

Caye Bank’s mission has been to always

This philosophy has led us to the creation

COVID-19 has certainly multiplied the

provide financial services based on

of a range of investment funds that are

number of challenges in the region

trustworthiness

interesting and flexible

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European Investment Bank on the pandemic and challenges ahead

Investment management delivers for investors during a tumultuous 2020

Jaguar I-Pace. Looking Good.

Feeling Good.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has exposed how

Assets under management held by

inadequately prepared the world is for

Investment Association (IA) members

pandemics

grew to £9.4 trillion in the UK

Artists say you can only break the rules if you’ve mastered them. That’s how Jaguar created the I-PACE – the first and best electric vehicle of its kind.

54 World Bank Projections: PostCOVID Africa Will be Highly Dynamic Environment Recovery, the greatest goal for the struggling Sub-Saharan Af rican economies.

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17

46

5 ways for sustainably minded companies to build a postpandemic work model COVID-19 has transformed the very nature of the employee-employer relationship

64 Invest in Turkiye A resilient, fast-growing economy, Turkey offers business-f riendly policies, agile talent pool and global market access a

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First Stop Shop Invest Durban was recommended by the Durban City Council and organised private business as the First Stop Shopto stimulate new investment in the Durban metropolis. We act as a partnership between the Metro City Council and the private business sector, offering a free investor advisory service, plus key promotion, facilitation, and aftercare services between all investment stakeholders.

Invest Durban delivers a world-class Metro based investor support service, encompassing our four part business mandate, namely investment promotion and marketing; foreign investment identification, attraction and facilitation; FDI aftercare and expansion, plus investment advocacy.

Invest Durban works together with organisations such as the Department of Trade & Industry including Invest SA, Trade and Investment KZN (TIKZN), the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the KZN Growth Coalition, and State-Owned Enterprises such as Dube TradePort, the DBSA, IDC, Eskom, ACSA and others.

CATEGORIES The thrust of Durban’s proposition to attract investors can be put into three broad categories:

• Premium Destination; a business and lifestyle environment most conducive to profitable, sustainable, with ample land available • Catalytic Projects, which have the potential to shift the socioeconomic landscape and trigger a series of investments across several sectors • Priority Sectors, which receive the focus of planners in a variety of ways, including the creation of clusters and the development of value chains to promote new ventures and investment opportunities.

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First Stop Sh op

CATALYTIC PROJECTS

• Centrum Government Precinct which would formalise

Durban is working on a number of large-scale projects

the relationship between buildings such as the

that have the potential to make a regional impact. The

International Convention Centre (and extensions) and

location of these projects is vital. They must either be on

a related hotel, the library, council chambers and the

national trade routes or they should help to break down

redevelopment of Gugu Dlamini Park

the old apartheid living/working dynamics. Projects are selected for their scale in terms of job creation, investment size and potential revenue creation. Ideally, the projects should include a combination of uses (retail, commercial and housing, for example) and they should fit in with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

• Cornubia integrated human settlement development north of Durban, on 1 300 ha, a partnership between Tongaat Hulett Development, the human settlement departments at national and provincial level and eThekwini municipality • Dube TradePort, the multi-modal facility at King Shaka International Airport

The Point Waterf ront Development, for example, fits very well into the category of a catalytic project. Some

CLUSTER INITIATIVES

projections put the potential investment value at R40-

Durban has a very diverse economic landscape, within

billion and the number of permanent jobs to be created

which there are some large-scale enterprises. Cooperation

at 6 750. It is an ambitious plan that is already linking the

between the public and private sectors is formalised by

city’s beach promenade and the harbour.

the large number of cluster initiatives which aim to draw to together experience and expertise from commerce and

The Point Waterf ront Development offers a property use

industry, labour organisations, government and academia.

mix of office space, retail shops, residential dwellings and leisure options. The 55 ha site has already seen significant

Under manufacturing, the following clusters or

investment. A new cruise line terminal in the harbour,

programmes are active:

backing on to the Point will dovetail well with the new

• KZN Clothing and Textile Cluster (KZN CTC)

atmosphere of the precinct.

• Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC) Other major projects, amongst others, include the: • GO!Durban Transport Oriented Development, which has already received major road upgrades and will be an even greater enabler of trade

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• Durban Chemical Cluster (DCC) • eThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC)

• KZN Furniture Incubator • Agro-processing development programmes

their own goals, but there will be positive spin-offs for the targeted sectors. These schemes include the drive to increase local content, boosting metal fabrication across

Research aims to find out how best to grow particular

sectors, the promotion of black industrialists, promoting

economic sectors, and in-depth discussions are held

exports and the over-arching eThekwini Industrial

about how to develop and grow value chains. The wealth

Development Policy Action Plan.

of KwaZulu-Natal is mostly consumed or exported in its raw state - much more could be done to add value

Companies operating in these key sectors are invited to

through processing.

contact Invest Durban and benefit from these initiatives!

The priority sectors are:

Full Name of Company: Invest Durban

• Automotive and allied industries • Logistics and logistics management

Nature of Business: Investment promotion for eThekwini Municipality Services / Products: “First Stop Shop” to attract, retain, expand and facilitate foreign direct investment into

• ICT and BPS (Information & Comm’s Tech, plus business process services) • Agri-processing • Life sciences (incl. Pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturing, plus health facilities) • Tourism asset development Some of these initiatives play to the existing strengths of the regional economy, some seek to exploit newer avenues as in the emphasis on the environment and a growing interest in the oceans’ economy. A variety of projects link tourism, renewable energy generation, recycling and job creation.

the Durban Metro. We provide marketing support, free investment advisory services, project management assistance, opportunity identification, and regulatory process facilitation to Foreign Investors, plus local Empowerment Partners.

Date Established: 2001 CONTACT DETAILS Head Office: Physical Address: 41 Margaret Mncadi Avenue, 11th Floor, Durban, 4001 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1203, Durban, 4000 Tel: +27 (0)31 311 4227 Fax: +27 (0)31 311 4092 E-mail: invest@durban.gov.za Website: www.invest.durban www.durban.gov.za

There are various other broader programmes which have

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Opening Doors To Future Possibilities Invest with us.

Corner Bank (Overseas) Limited 308 East Bay Street | Nassau, The Bahamas Tel. +1 242 394 4977 | corner.bs | info@corner.bs

How are Polish companies adapting to new regulations?

How are Polish companies adapting to new regulations, in which commitment to the environment is becoming a requirement?

ESG issues are becoming increasingly important in Poland in the context of risk management and corporate governance of entities in the financial sector. Currently, it is not just banks, but also asset managers (investment fund companies, brokerage houses and others) that should make disclosures about the fulfillment of their ESG objectives.

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How are Polis h companies adapting to new regulations?

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nvestment firms start to recognize that profit is not

business and sustainability strategy. According to our

their only objective and they must also consider the

observations, the current level of awareness of non-

environmental and social impact of their operations.

financial reporting in Poland is intermediate.

It has also become clear that portfolios incorporating ESG criteria provide better returns in relation to risk.

Currently there is PLN 4.5 billion in investment funds with

This tendency will increase; environmental, social and

ESG profile, and more funds with this profile are awaiting

corporate governance factors will be increasingly taken

supervisory approval. This is why our organization makes

into account by professional investors, not only because of

great effort to contribute to the process of educating

the regulations forcing issuers and asset managers to take

the capital market and raising awareness of sustainable

certain actions, but also due to the growing awareness

development, non-financial risks and reporting.

and pressure of individual investors, especially the young generation “Z”.

This is a period of intensive work for us: we organize training sessions, workshops and conferences focused on

In Poland ESG already influences the valuation of

ESG issues in order to help members of our organization

companies. Nearly one in three investors take account

and all other entities interested in adaptation to the

of ESG risks in their investment strategy. Research

new regulations, in changing their strategies and

conducted by PwC Polska in February and March this year

implementing the necessary transformation. We believe

shows that half of the investors notice these risk, but they

that care for the broadly defined environment, in which

do not consider them to be critical; however nearly 30%

we live, is not only a legal requirement, but it also shows

of the surveyed were willing to reduce their valuation

the level of organizational culture of a company and

or withdraw f rom an investment if ESG risks were too

people representing it.

high. 43% listed companies have in place an integrated

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Congratulations on being awarded best global agricultural investment development company of the year.

Tell us a little about agri developments and what distinguishes you from others.

First, a big thank you to International Investor and the voting panel for recognizing AGRI Developments and the hard work we have done this year.

Second, we would like to thank Bayawan City in the Philippines, its people and Mayor Mr. Pryde Henry Teves for supporting us and our developments within the city.

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How are Polis h companies adapting to new regulations?

At AGRI Developments we focus on sustainable

and quality. At AGRI Developments we use innovation

agricultural projects in high growth developing sectors

and technical advances to improve our productivity.

across the emerging markets. A number of things

This allows us to use less land to produce more in an

make us unique in the industry. First, sustainable

environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Our key

focused projects in the emerging markets are rare; this

developments include Mango and Hass Avocados and are

is particularly true in Asia where we are based. Quick

based in Bayawan City, the Philippines.

profitability with rudimentary agricultural practices with little concern towards the environment have

Our Mango development aims at revitalizing the precious

unfortunately been the norm. Second, our involvement

and underdeveloped mango sector of the Philippines.

with the community goes far beyond simple employment

Mangos from the Philippines are world renown for their

and involves education and working collaboratively with

taste and sweetness and yet the market is remarkably

the local government to develop their entire sector.

underdeveloped. Demand is immense with 98% of production consumed domestically with global imports of

Third, we have demonstrated a unique ability to foresee

the fruit rising 20-60% p.a since 2015 across key markets.

high yielding sectors within the agricultural space such

Our development is the first of its kind in the country

as Hass Avocados in Asia. Fourth, we have been able to

aimed at commercial production and implementing ACT,

efficiently use the resources we have to extract as much

which allows us to produce 10x more yield per acre with

as we can which is in line with our sustainability focus.

fruit yielding 5x faster.

An example of this is our Mango project, where through yield optimization we can generate up to 10 times more

Our Hass Avocado development was just launched

revenue per acre than traditional farms.

recently and is one of only two in all of Asia aimed at

Our goal at AGRI Developments, in support of the world’s

commercially meeting growing regional demand.

needs, is to always do more with less. By creating more

Avocados are relatively new to Asia and yet growing

value with less risk, by producing more crops f rom less

rapidly, by over 45% per year since 2014. By 2030

land and generating more business with less of an

consumption in Asia is expected to surpass the current

ecological footprint.

world’s largest consumers: the United States and Mexico.

With 95% of supply currently coming from as far away as

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR DEVELOPMENTS AND WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE?

South America and Africa this provides our development

All our developments target high growth developing

the only country in Asia capable of commercially meeting

sectors within the agricultural industry and have common

demand and we are positioning ourselves to benefit from

overarching themes. These themes include combating

this.

issues surrounding food security, supply, sustainability

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with a significant regional opportunity. The Philippines is

THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HAS SUPRISNGLY BENEFITED YOU GREATLY TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS.

In terms of our industry in general, we believe it will

We are proud to have done well as a business despite the

food to feed an additional 2.5 billion people, whilst arable

personal hardships many of us faced. That being said we

land decreases. People need food and this need is simply

would not call our success a surprise as the agricultural

increasing.

markedly outperform the general market over the coming decade. By 2050 Earth will need to produce 70% more

sector is of vital importance regardless of what occurs economically. People need food and this need is simply

Looking at the world as whole, we believe countries will

increasing more and more, as are costs.

increasingly focus on domestic sources of production and food sustainability through financial incentives,

What benefited us greatly during the pandemic was also

support or government mandates. The pandemic has

our strategic decision years ago to focus on agricultural

shown that countries cannot blindly rely on one another

projects that primarily have a consistent and rapidly

for necessities as they have in the past. We believe food

growing domestic market. Our ability to not rely on

and water inventories, like oil inventories, will become

exports allowed us to avoid the pitfalls many other

increasingly important over the coming decades.

companies faced from global trade restrictions and the closure of borders.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PARTNERS OR SEEKING INVESTMENTS?

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PROJECTIONS?

Yes, we are always keen to work with like-minded partners

As a company, we feel our future is extremely bright.

and investors. Expansion, reaching economies of scale

Our success during the pandemic has strengthened

and increasing profitability are key objectives of ours

our commitment to our original strategy and we

but we also seek partners that can help us expand our

are in the midst of expanding all our developments.

sustainability, social and community initiatives.

Future consumption of mango, the national f ruit of the Philippines, will remain strong. In addition, the government will keep promoting trade with lucrative export markets which pay up to ten times more than domestic rates for mangos f rom the Philippines. This will in turn increase our profitably in the long term. In terms of Hass Avocados, growth is skyrocketing across Asia as well as domestically in the Philippines. This will benefit us greatly as we are only one of two commercially focused producers in the region.

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“A cohesive concept for a future airline” Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of startup airlines are entering the global aviation market. One such carrier is Ava Airways – a Dominican Republic airline venture, established to cater for the demand between its hub at Santo Domingo and the Caribbean, Latin American, North American, European, and later, African destinations. Investors Magazine spoke to the airline’s CEO/CVO Mr. Olivier Arrindell, ahead of his participation at the London Aviation Festival Summit, taking place on 1-2 December, to find out more about the carrier’s launch roadmap and plans for the future.

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How are Polis h companies adapting to new regulations?

“Ava Airways is an airline carrier of the Dominican Republic with a clear plan and vision to properly connect and operate scheduled flights via its hub in the city of Santo Domingo to the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa,” Arrindell told Investors Magazine. “The service Ava Airways plans shall provide and allow Latin American and Caribbean VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives), leisure, businesses and corporations to properly connect with each other in commerce and trade specially in the tourism sector at a economical value.”

The carrier’s inaugural flight was planned for March 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this had to be postponed and Arrindell shared that the new launch date will likely be in Q4 of 2022.

“We are simply waiting on people to get over the fear factor of COVID-19 and for every country in our inaugural destination plan to fully open and have a common approach to their travel requirements, such as COVID-19 testing and vaccination obligations.

I love and support the approach the Dominican Republic have taken so far. This nation is smart from an economic point of view,” he explains.

One can’t help but wonder what makes this a good time to launch a brand-new airline in an industry which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, but Arrindell insists that times like these are, indeed, providing Ava Airways with even more opportunities. He explains:

“Challenging the status quo is also a focus of Ava Airways and not COVID-19. We’re also focusing on maintaining a good financial management system.

It’s become evident in times like these that the most important thing is to have strong cash reserves.”

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Ava Airways’ mission is to provide a simple and uncomplicated experience when it comes to flying. “With Ava Airways, we didn’t want to just envision a bunch of loosely connected potential innovations,” shares Arrindell.

“Instead, what we have done is create a cohesive concept for the airline of the future. To do this, we organised all of our design innovations around three core principles: “Taking Crazy Out of Flying” – making Ava Airways actually worthy of passenger affection; “Know the Journey” – designing touch points that are tailored to the unique moments comprising a passenger’s journey with Ava Airways; and “Loyalty Matters” – creating a business model that goes beyond fare-based transactions, especially for the people of the Americas. A member of Ava Airways is completely different f rom a passenger of Ava Airways.”

Moreover, the airline mobile app will be at the epicentre of all customer interactions, empowering passengers to have a greater control over their journey.

Looking ahead, Arrindell is optimistic about the industry’s recovery in the Caribbean and Latin American sectors.

Quoting a recent research by financial services agency Moody’s Analytics, he shared that consumers around the world have stockpiled an extra $5.4 trillion of savings since the coronavirus pandemic began, creating a more positive outlook for passenger demand once international travel resumes.

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Interview with James B arnes , D irector of Alph a Global Wealth

LOM Financial Interview with James Group Barnes, Director of Alpha Global Wealth 1. FIRSTLY - PLEASE GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR COMPANY, THE WORK THAT YOU DO, YOUR CLIENTS AND THE SERVICES YOU OFFER. WHAT ARE YOUR CORE VALUES/GOALS? HOW DO THESE CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR OVERALL SUCCESS? HAVE THESE CORE VALUES CHANGED AT ALL SINCE YOUR ESTABLISHMENT? Alpha Global Wealth is a small boutique family office in the heart of Geneva, taking care of 150 international expatriates living and working in Switzerland. What separates us f rom our competitors are the core values of trust, honesty, genuine care and the attention paid to the smallest of details. Speed stuns and we always without fail respond and deal with any enquiries within 24 hours, even at weekends, when clients have the time to look at their own portfolio’s. We work in years and decades,

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Interview with James B arnes , D irector of Alph a Global Wealth

building lasting relationships, proactively engaging with our clients through a constant portfolio review process, to understand the current market trends, discuss and understand underlying fears, emotions and future wealth requirements. Alpha will be 5 years old in 2022 and whilst the core values haven’t changed, we have strengthened

3. WHAT ROLE DO YOUR STAFF PLAY IN THE SUCCESS OF YOUR FIRM? WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN RECRUITING NEW TALENT? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR INTERNAL CULTURE AND HOW DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO YOU COMPANY’S SUCCESS?

our proposition for the many clients that have existing

Dedication, drive and ambition are key attributes for a

portfolio’s with other wealth managers, IFA’s and

good Alpha employee. Someone that understands that

investment banks, that maybe haven’t received the

the client is central to everything we do, we work for the

service levels and performance they were led to expect.

clients and without them the business is nothing. We have a culture of continuous education and learning, any employee can study and take any relevant industry

2. WHAT KIND OF CLIENTS DO YOU SERVE AND HOW DO YOU APPROACH THEM? HOW DO YOU DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM POTENTIAL COMPETITORS (IF RELEVANT)? WHAT IS, ESSENTIALLY, YOUR UNIQUE SELLING POINT?

examinations both in the UK, Europe or Switzerland

We pride ourselves on being truly independent and

in administration we are all driven to daily improvements

offering a value for money investment and advice service.

and exceptional client service.

to better their knowledge and qualifications and the company will support and pay for the study text, cost of examination and pay for the time/days required to take the exams. Whether you are client facing, back office, or

We have now reached the enviable position where we can pick and choose the clients we wish to work with, as such clients are by invitation or recommendation only, with minimum account sizes. One of our unique selling points is that we can construct a globally diverse and balanced investment portfolio without any restrictions or limitations. We find the larger brokerages have usually partnered up with fund houses and investment arms to

4. CAN YOU DETAIL ANY SPECIFIC INDUSTRYBASED CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING NOW AND MAY DO IN THE NEAR FUTURE? BY EXTENSION, IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IMPACT HAS COVID-19 HAD ON YOUR INDUSTRY OR OPERATIONS? WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES TO THE SITUATION YOU FOUND YOURSELF IN?

create a ‘dual’ branded investment solution or DFM that

The pandemic was a huge shock to the business in the

has layers of fees and charges which pushes the TER

first months of March/April 2020, as it would have been

sky high and doesn’t really offer true diversification or a

for all businesses. However, I quickly realised that all our

value proposition. In many cases we can offer a far better

clients wanted was to be kept in touch and informed of

solution, whilst lowering the overall annual cost of a

what was happening to their portfolio’s, investments,

portfolio, leading to greater annualised returns.

the markets, our business and what might happen in the

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future. We immediately contact everyone and scheduled

ultimately, engage with our clients even more. We have

1 hour emergency video Teams meetings. I was holding

found that 6 x 30 minute sessions annually are far better

4-6 sessions daily for 6 weeks straight, the team were

received than 2 x 1 hour meetings.

working f rom home, I however came into the office on my own each day, so the clients could see familiar surroundings and that Alpha was keeping it finger on the pulse. The immediate action that we took, was to offer proactive advice on limiting downside risk and

6. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE THE WRITING TEAM TO MENTION OR FOCUS ON? PLEASE DO ADD DETAILS HERE THAT YOU FEEL WERE MISSED BY THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.

identifying growth sectors that we felt would bounce back rapidly from the market correction. What amazed

Alpha Global Wealth has its ‘Vision 2030’

me, was how much money was sitting on the side lines

Alpha’s top 8 investment picks for ‘Vision 2030’

waiting to be invested, as a business we had the largest

• ARK Genomic Revolution ETF – Gene therapy bio-

inflows ever in a quarter in Q2 2020. One such investment recommendation was for clients to invest in Global crude Oil & Gas majors as a short term 18-24 month play, which they are now enjoying 80%+ gains.

informatics, bio inspired computing and molecular medicine.

• Guinness Sustainable Global Equity Fund – Exposure to high quality companies with excellent ESG aligned

We now see that there are clients wishing to start engaging again face to face, which is such a delight and for us its wonderful to welcoming people back into our offices. There are however a proportion of clients that are enjoying conducting business via video Teams meetings and for them and also us it’s an extremely time efficient

with robust sustainability themes.

• LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF • WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence ETF • IShares Automation & Robotics

way of managing and revieing accounts. I am able to hold 5-6 meeting daily now instead of 2-3 face to face meetings.

• Guinness Sustainable Green Energy Fund – Actively managed selection of 35 companies in solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biofuels and biomass sectors.

5. DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR 2021 AND BEYOND THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? We wish to keep improving our service levels, product offerings and online ADC ‘Alpha Digital Connect’ expansion of the team in key areas will enable this and

• ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF – Orbital and sub-orbital aerospace, technologies, aerospace activities (agriculture, internet, GPS, construction and imaging ) • WisdomTree Cloud Computing ETF

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MultiBank Group Wins ‘Best Global Forex Group Award’ and Expands Presence in Cryptocurrency MultiBank Group, one of the largest financial derivatives

As a pioneer in the global exchange industry, MEX Digital

brokers in the world will launch a global cryptocurrency

is a natural first step to cater to more investors while

exchange and blockchain ecosystem called MEX Digital.

maintaining tight regulatory compliance. MultiBank

This launch marks the beginning of the broker’s largest

Group has closely followed the cryptocurrency industry,

rollout of new products and services that will cover the

searching for opportunities to give clients exposure to

entire digital asset and blockchain industry.

more financial instruments.

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LEADING BROKER WITH HEAVY REGULATORY COMPLIANCE One of MultiBank Group’s competitive advantage is its heavy regulatory compliance. In 16 years of activity, MultiBank Group has built an exclusive security system that segregates each client account while providing settlement facilities for each stakeholder, maintaining the highest level of security of funds.

Undeniably, security and trust are at the core when it comes to trading and finance. Thus, MultiBank Group has worked for more than a decade to implement the safest and most effective measures to secure their customers’ investments.

As a result, regulation has been at the forefront of MultiBank Group’s efforts to become one of the most trusted financial derivatives brokers worldwide. The group and its subsidiaries are regulated by 10 regulators across five continents. To facilitate a seamless trading experience while always keeping investors assets secure, they have approval from these regulatory bodies: Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (“BaFin), Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), and other reputable regulatory bodies across the globe.

They offer consumer protection and enforce laws to protect consumers from their respective countries. It is also registered with regulatory bodies from Austria, UAE, and the British Virgin Islands, allowing MultiBank Group to have a global presence while maintaining compliance with the major regulatory authorities worldwide.

Further, since its inception, MultiBank Group has been relentlessly focusing on keeping investors’ assets safe.

This builds a high level of trust between both parties and guarantees that nothing slips through the cracks of financial regulators. Being heavily regulated across all five continents, with 10 regulatory bodies, ensures that investors’ assets are always secure.

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Interview with James B arnes , D irector of Alph a Global Wealth

RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE AND HIGHLEVEL TRUST

INSTRUMENTS FOR ANY INVESTOR Access to various financial instruments is necessary to

MultiBank Group continuously achieves record-breaking

mobilize your private investment and get better returns.

performance. They had a record US$5 trillion turnover in

MultiBank Group offers 15000+ products across 6 asset

2020, which exceeded their US$1.9 trillion turnover in 2019.

classes:

This astounding 163% increase, in addition to their heavy compliance, multiple awards, and top facilities proves why clients worldwide can trust MultiBank Group. The financial results for the year 2020 mark yet another milestone for MultiBank Group and it is a testament to the financial strength and ambitious growth plans of the Group.

Here are a few highlights of MultiBank Group: • MultiBank Group is comprised of several entities that are regulated by ASIC, BAFIN, CNMV, FMA, DFSA, TFG,

• Forex • Shares • Metals • Indices • Commodities • Cryptocurrencies

HKCE, AUSTRAC, FSC and CIMA. • Paid-up capital of over $322 million • 40+ awards, including ‘Best Global FX & CFD Broker’ • Fully segregated client accounts • Best rebate structures for institutional customers, brokers, and banks • Guaranteed withdrawals of funds within 24 hours

A WIDE AND DIVERSE RANGE OF FINANCIAL

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Along with its financial instruments, MultiBank Group’s cutting-edge trading platforms offer groundbreaking levels of stability and reliability for a great trading experience. No matter your skill level as a trader, MultiBank Group offers its esteemed customers a variety of account options so that they can get the best out of their capital.

WHAT MAKES MULTIBANK GROUP DIFFERENT?

“We have been at the frontier of the forex exchange industry. We have witnessed its exponential growth

and shaped it too,” the chairman Naser Taher stated.

“Being early adopters of technology, we launched a fully transparent electronic forex and financial derivatives exchange.”

MultiBank Group is constantly looking to add the latest technology and finding new trends to achieve its goal of global expansion. For investors seeking a secure way to invest their capital, MultiBank Group’s investors can benefit f rom several of their offerings:

• 15,000+ instruments and up to 500:1 leverage. Starting with 0.0* pips on major instruments and 10 cents on gold.

• Benefit f rom the highest levels of security of funds with segregated accounts.

• Instant and guaranteed withdrawal and transactions within 24 hours.

trading volume of over US$7 billion.

THE WAY OF THE FUTURE – MEX DIGITAL By introducing MEX Digital, MultiBank Group aims to become a major player in the cryptocurrency markets.

Boasting the latest trading technology and the most advanced CRM out there, fully ready to promote their cryptocurrency exchange.

MultiBank Group’s new spot cryptocurrency exchange, MEX Digital, is a regulated exchange with secured regulatory approval from a major regulator and it recently obtained regulatory approval from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).

Furthermore, MEX Digital was recently registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). With investor protection at the forefront, MEX Digital will cater to individuals who are seeking more exposure to the cryptocurrency space while always keeping their assets secure. Thus, MEX Digital makes

• 25+ Global Offices including Australia, Austria, British

investing in cryptocurrencies safe, ensuring every investor

Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, China (five branches),

the minimal spillover risk, adding it as a high reward asset

Cyprus, Egypt, Germany, and more.

to their financial instruments.

• Copy-trading so clients can copy trades from profitable traders within seconds.

With heavy investments in technology and regulation, MEX Digital is ready to open its operations in Q3 2021.

MultiBank Group has exceeded expectations by having a strong worldwide client base of over 320,000 and a daily

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Caye one of the foremost banks in Belize

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Best Private Bank and Banker in CARICOM for 2021 Caye International Bank and its Senior Vice President and

Caye was granted an unrestricted Class A International

Head of Private Banking, Luigi Wewege, were recently

Banking License on September 29, 2003, from Central

named the Best Offshore Bank – CARICOM 2021 and

Bank of Belize. The Central Bank of Belize is responsible

Private Banker of the year for CARICOM 2021, respectively,

for regulating Caye International Bank and setting the

by the International Investor Magazine based out of

standards for its liquidity and capital adequacy ratios.

London.

Belize is a f ront-runner for those seeking offshore banking and investing opportunities. The pandemic has created unique challenges for financial institutions, and we talked

CAYE INTERNATIONAL BANK HAS WON MANY AWARDS AND IS A CONSISTENT REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTENDER. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE PRIMARY REASONS FOR THIS?

with award-winner Wewege of Caye to get his take on

Caye is the only fully focused international bank in the

these challenges and more.

country. Our bank license permits us to conduct financial services with individuals and corporations outside Belize.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?

The bank offers a full range of traditional and non-

I am a member of the Caye International Bank’s Executive

traditional banking services and accounts in multiple

Management Team, serving as Senior Vice President and

currencies, helping people with asset protection and asset

Head of Private Banking.

diversification.

Outside of my banking responsibilities, I serve as an

Belize also has a compelling tax structure. There is a

Instructor at the FinTech School in California. The school delivers online training on the latest technology and

zero-tax rate on deposits in many personal and business accounts. That one factor separates Belize from many

innovation development in the Financial Services industry.

other offshore locations.

I am also the published author of The Digital Banking

HOW HAS THE BANK AND BUSINESS MANAGED TO THRIVE THROUGH A PANDEMIC?

Revolution, now in its third edition, and available on Kindle and in audio and paperback formats on all major

Caye International Bank clients all face similar concerns,

international online bookstores.

regardless of their location. The main differentiator in their response during COVID-19 has been the size of their

Previously, I helped complete a pilot study for the Federal

portfolio.

Trade Commission during one of the most severe financial times for the American economy. The primary focus of

A small diversification client may need a more sizeable

the study was to examine and determine the accuracy of

amount of cash right now, whereas a more significant

credit bureau information.

investor may switch asset classes or make speculative moves. At Caye, we are fortunate that our liquidity ratios

HOW DID CAYE INTERNATIONAL BANK GET ITS START? Caye’s began as a Belizean mortgage company in 1996.

After a continued success over several years, the decision

far exceed minimum requirements. This allows us to weather these storms similar to those like the financial crisis in 2008.

was taken to become an international bank.

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MANY BUSINESS LEADERS HAD TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS TO SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC. WHAT STEPS DID CAYE MAKE, IF ANY?

We’ve certainly felt the impact of the pandemic in Belize,

We decided at the onset that we would not cut staff or

to the forward-thinking attitude about all things financial

reduce salaries. We chose to get through the crisis as

that’s part of our way of doing things. We know that the

a team. We realized it would be arduous to change an

country and our economy will thrive.

economic and otherwise. Even so, we’ve managed better than some other areas of the world. Part of the credit goes

almost 20-year central command point bank service structure to a completely digital online arrangement with

Belize is well poised to continue growing as a force in

staff now working f rom home.

the world of offshore banking and investment. The laws continue to be refined to keep the nation at the forefront

However, we learned what we thought was an impossible

of ethical and practical banking solutions. A welcoming

task could be achieved in a matter of days when receiving

culture in general and the fact that banking officials and

buy-in f rom all of the bank’s stakeholders.

personnel in this country know the industry inside and out also helps engender confidence. We do not doubt

WITH THE WORLD WORKING TO MOVE PAST THE PANDEMIC, WHAT DO YOU ENVISION AS THE FUTURE OF OFFSHORE BANKING IN BELIZE?

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that as more people discover Belize, our market share will keep increasing.

YOU HAVE AN EXTENSIVE TRACK RECORD AS A LEADER IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICE INDUSTRY. CAN YOU TIE THIS UP BY TELLING US WHAT THE FINANCIAL SECTOR NEEDS FROM ITS SENIOR MANAGERS IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE WE SEE TODAY?

Leaders who can develop an adaptive vision and

There are two ways of dealing with rapid change. One way

to deal with rapid change and as always, communicating

is through reactive protectionism. This is often through

“what” and “why” is critical to success.

implement responsive systems to meet clients’ new needs are the ones who will be the most successful. Often the big breakthrough successes come from leveraging disruptive change. It’s important to note that getting to this point also requires helping employees develop skills

trying to stop the bleeding when change is forced upon you. This can be done by tweaking costs here and there to still be in the black for each quarterly budget. The other method is a nimbler, more proactive approach. It is knowing that most changes are not short-term and recognizing that the first inkling of any change is a signal of potential opportunity.

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Dominion Funds always researching investment ideas Dominion creates and manages a range of investment products, which are highly effective, simple to understand, and achieve great results for our investors.

Our approach, which differs from the majority of fund managers, means we are not constrained to one geographic region, currency, or industry sector. We are instead free to look for trends that are occurring at a global level and which offer investment opportunities.

This philosophy has led us to the creation of a range of investment funds that are unusual, interesting and (importantly in this rapidly changing world) flexible.

We create and manage this range of thematic investment products built around the concept of Global Trends. We identify the major sources of change in the world, Global Trends, and invest in the companies driving these sources of change. These long-term structural trends are reshaping our world and we believe all investor portfolios should have exposure to these themes over the long-term.

It is by marrying this top-down approach to investing, with a deep focus on valuation analysis, that we have developed our ‘Growth at a Reasonable Price’ strategy, which is deployed across all of our funds.

These are effective, easy to understand and high-performance equity investment funds, driven by the major structural changes underway in the global economy.

Dominion is dedicated to thematic investing and as an investment team, this is our sole approach to researching investment ideas.

We live in an ever-changing world. While this creates hurdles and risks for investors, it also offers great long-term investment opportunities for the patient investor. At Dominion we believe a focused approach to investing in these structural trends offers investors unique, industry leading expertise, as well as a suite of investment products to gain exposure to the long-term upside from structural change.

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Dominion Funds always research ing investment ideas

The world is undoubtedly becoming digital and this

Luxuries are goods and services which consumers use

trend is impacting not just technology, but every sector

their disposable income to purchase. Demand for luxuries

in the global economy. Ecommerce, interacting and

grows disproportionately with wealth and as global wealth

transacting online, will become the normal as we migrate

increases, particularly in emerging markets, the outlook

an ever-increasing portion of our lives, both leisure and

for luxuries demand is very strong. Our Luxury Consumer

professional, to the digital world. Our Ecommerce Fund

Fund is dedicated to investing in this trend in consumer

focuses on investing in this global mega-trend.

demand for products and services, in both developed and increasingly in emerging markets.

The behavioural shift driven by a unique combination of technology and demographics will be one of, if not the,

Luxuries have been part of the economy since the

largest source of change in the world over the coming

beginning of civilisation, when the first socially stratified

decades. This revolution in the way we function is

societies emerged in the ancient world. Luxury was

perhaps only comparable in scale to the enlightenment

one of the first industries to go global. Chinese silks, for

and industrial revolutions. Ecommerce is a global

example, could be found in Rome in 139 BC. Luxury is an

phenomenon. It has already come to touch every aspect

enduring sector which will continue to grow for as long as

of our lives. But we are only at the end of the beginning,

wealth increases and societies remain stratified. The one

as in the coming decades ecommerce rises to global

constant which has remained since ancient times is that

dominance. The Dominion Global Trends Ecommerce

aspirations primarily drive consumer decisions, providing

Fund, through its unique understanding of ecommerce

a fertile ground for healthy returns on capital as well as

and focus on investing in high quality, high growth

growth for companies able to help households ‘stand out’

companies, provides investors with unrivalled exposure

from the crowd. This is the long-term focus of the Luxury

to the largest technological and behavioural investment

Consumer Fund.

trend the world has ever seen.

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The changes underway in our world are not limited to

underway in the world today, allowing their investments

just Ecommerce of Luxury Consumer spending. The

to benefit from Global Change.

world is changing, and it is changing faster than ever.

The Dominion Global Trends Managed Fund identifies

We are thought leaders in Global Trends.

and invests in the companies exposed to all of the major structural growth themes driving changes in the global

The investment team at Dominion is structured to bring

economy. From climate change, to emerging healthcare,

expertise and experience from different sectors together

f rom urbanisation to electric vehicles, the Managed Fund

to create breadth and depth of knowledge. With more

offers investors exposures to all the major sources of

than 100 years combined investment experience, the

change in the world today, and generates returns based

team is often years ahead of the market in identifying

on that change.

structural themes and successful investment strategies driven by Global Trends. We continue to use innovative

We undertake deep industry and sector analysis to

thinking and research methods to generate investment

identify the leading structural growth trends in the global

ideas and new fund products which will stand the test of

economy and offer investors a diversified exposure

time for our investors.

to these investment trends. As the world continues to change, so does the investment focus of the fund, adjusting its exposures to be invested in the most important sources of change for the world. This ‘future proofs’ the fund and allows us to invest in the Global Trends of the future, as and when they arise. Investing in the Dominion Global Trends Managed fund offers investors a long-term exposure to the structural growth

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Africa is Ready for a New Wave of Foreign Direct Investments The data is very hard to ignore, says the UNCTAD.

Struggling with lower vaccination rates, high debt and a lack of quick and efficient strategic response against the pandemic, Africa is in dire need of resources. COVID-19 has certainly multiplied the number of challenges in the region, some problems are very new and others can be traced back to generations.

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Africa is Ready for a New Wave of Foreign D irect I nvestments

According to a very recent report by the WHO, the

direct investment flows up to $427 billion in the first half

continent is experiencing a sharp 83 percent increase in

of 2021, an outstanding achievement for economies in

new COVID-19 cases, all driven by the Delta and Omicron

South-East Asia and Africa.

variants. At the same time the organization is registering fewer deaths and much less severe cases when compared

Certainly, global investors are extremely interested in

to previous waves of the virus.

working on projects related to infrastructure, all due to the very favorable environment for long-term financing

The critical importance of vaccines is clearer than ever

options that we’re experiencing right now. China has been

for government officials, businesses and institutions,

the leader in that specific area, conducting large amounts

as they are trying to apply innovative measures to

of money to a vast number of projects being made in the

contain the spread of the virus, and attract foreign direct

African continent, even through the darkest of COVID

investment opportunities in order to mitigate the higher

times during last year.

unemployment rates we are seeing so far.

NEW CHANCES THE STATUS OF FDI WORLDWIDE

While most African economies shrank by 2.1 percent

The latest trends monitor by the United Nations

in 2020, the African Economic Outlook is projecting a

Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) showed

moderate growth of 3.4 percent in 2021, helped by a

that in the first half of 2021, global foreign direct

rebound in commodity prices, higher exports, increased

investment flows reached an estimated $852 billion

vaccination rates and a resumption of tourism. The perfect

dollars, in what is considered a “stronger than expected”

storm for an economic miracle? Some experts

result, recovering more than 70% of the losses provoked

believe so.

by the pandemic itself.

Despite COVID, Africa is now a very different place to what Developed economies had the greater success, growing at

it used to be, it is still the fastest growing region of the

three times the pace in comparison with the same period

past 10 years, and a very good destination for foreign

of time in 2020. But developing nations were not

direct investments since it opened to world markets in the

that far behind, as they managed to increase foreign

latter part of the 20th century.

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With new sources of investment, countless emerging

recovery. We’re talking about an industry that contributes

industries and sectors have expanded massively since the

more than $160 billion a year, numbers that are extremely

start of the millenium, and for governments and bilateral

hard to ignore. Even more when there’s a growing middle

institutions in Af rica, FDIs are a high priority issue that

class considering international travel once the COVID

needs to be looked upon with the most objective long-

storm clears.

term vision.

AFRICA WILL CHERISH INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT Most FDI flows in Af rica have been historically related

The pandemic has reframed everything in regards to

to manufacturing, services, hard resources, coal and

business opportunities in the continent, opening new

oil, accounting for more than $200 billion in projects

ways for investors ready to dive into a new wave of foreign

related to international interests. Experts in the topic

direct investments in Africa. Right now, governments are

have been very vocal about other business opportunities

working around the clock in order to improve the business

to capitalize on, such as IT services, renewable energy,

climate just to attract more international prospects.

communications and logistics, sectors that have enjoyed unprecedented levels of expansion and demand within

Programs like the Enhanced Integrated Framework

the continent.

are outstanding innovative platforms aimed to assist investment promotion agencies, fostering and improving

By focusing on certain specific areas of the economy

the scope of foreign direct investment in the region. Africa

and public life, Af rica can certainly improve its current

needs more of this, opening opportunities for investors

condition and increase the chances of recovery by 2023.

and talents from all corners of the world is the

One of those fundamental sectors is tourism.

best option, and more than any other continent it will embrace those splendid opportunities for years to come.

Responsible for more than 7% of the continent’s GDP, tourism plays a crucial role in Africa’s path to total

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European Investment Bank on the pandemic and challenges ahead The SARS-CoV-2 virus has exposed how inadequately prepared the world is for pandemics. But the shortcomings it has revealed are not just related to scientific and medical matters such as surveillance, containment, testing, tracing and treatment protocols. They also highlight market failures in the health and life sciences sector’s relationship with key elements of pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery, and the vital role that public financing and public financial institutions can play in addressing these.

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Mass vaccination is essentially a public good. Vaccines

The EIB is working harder today to support more

are not big money spinners compared to other popular

innovative, early-stage companies with promising

types of medication such as treatments for chronic

projects that other investors don’t have the risk appetite

diseases. Vaccines are usually sold by corporations at

to support. We were one of the first banks to invest

low volumes and for little profit. This is because most

in BioNTech’s mRNA vaccines, signing a €100 million

vaccines are generally needed only once in a lifetime, or

agreement with the company in June 2020, only few

sometimes once a year, whereas medicines for chronic

months after the first COVID-19 cases reported in EU.

illnesses, such as heart disease, are used more frequently

This bold decision has proven successful, as BioNTech,

and can be sold in greater volumes.

together with Pfizer, delivered one of the first vaccines against COVID-19.

As a result, despite the threat that transmissible diseases pose to public health, the development of new

LENDING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

vaccines has been limited in recent years by a shortage

Not every project the Bank has supported during the

of investment. High development costs, low returns on

COVID-19 crisis has been successful. However, in such

investment, and all the business challenges involved in

difficult and dynamic times with a lot of uncertainty

the development and production of vaccines, have forced

for the health of people and the consequences for the

some biopharmaceutical companies to leave the field

economy, we did not have the privilege to hope that

altogether.

one solution would work for everyone, or the luxury of

USING EVERYTHING IN THE TOOLBOX When it became clear that the coronavirus would be a big

investing a lot of time choosing and supporting only the best ones. Instead, we took bold and sometimes very risky decisions with the public interest in mind.

crisis, the European Investment Bank decided to use all the financing tools at its disposal to support the science

Many vaccines are now available and rolled out

and technologies that could help. We did not focus on

worldwide. They are doing a good job around the world

one company or one technology. We reached out to

and nevertheless, we have not stopped looking for new

traditional vaccine developers and to new ones, such as

success stories. In October 2021, the Bank approved a €45

BioNTech in Germany, which created one of the leading

million loan to help the Spanish pharmaceutical company

mRNA vaccines. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a novel

Hipra manufacture its COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine,

technology that can pave the way for vaccines to treat

which is still in the trial phase, is based on the traditional

many other illnesses, including cancer, flu, and malaria.

“recombinant protein” technology used by several other pharmaceutical companies. Hipra’s vaccine has been

The BioNTech financing is one example among dozens

modified to be more effective against the COVID-19

that show how venture debt f rom a public bank is

variants. It can also be stored in a standard refrigerator,

important in helping companies in the infectious disease

so it could be helpful in developing countries and remote

sector get to the later stages of clinical development.

areas, where it can be hard to supply the special freezers

The private sector is reluctant to invest in such activities

needed for mRNA vaccines.

because companies are often startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), or have a limited track record. The

TESTING TIMES FOR TESTING

eventual success of any innovation is also hard to predict,

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, people in many

which creates an uncertain risk/return profile for the investment.

countries simply could not get tested to find out if they had the virus. Why did it take so long to ramp up testing capacity? The answer is both technical and financial.

The European Union was behind the curve in life sciences

Many diagnostics firms simply were not prepared to

research when the pandemic began, but we are catching

begin testing for a new pathogen like SARS-Cov-2. Tests

up as we learn to accept more and higher risk. European

for new pathogens are not created overnight. While

investors tend to be more risk averse, and often lack

some firms, including EIB clients such as Mobidiag,

the deep pockets or risk appetite to support the long

Scope Fluidics and Biosurfit, had already developed tests

development cycles of new products or treatments.

for similar viruses and were able to quickly adapt their

European life science and biotech enterprises may

tests for the pandemic, the complex nature of biotech

attract funds for early-stage development projects via

development means that it typically takes much longer to

various highly competitive EC instruments and national

develop tests for new pathogens, validate their accuracy,

funding programs; however, that funding can easily run

secure regulatory approval and begin production.

out before they get to clinical trials. The result is that

Funding was also a major problem. Loans to the biotech

European enterprises often have no other option than to

sector are often earmarked for specific development

start looking for money from the United States, or more

plans. Using funds to develop new projects or test for

recently, China.

new pathogens requires the consent of investors, a process that typically takes several months.

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Diagnostics firms needed cash fast and Europe had to come up with new financing facilities to provide those funds.

The European Commission set up new sources of funds for small, innovative firms, such as the European Growth Finance Facility. Guarantees provided by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) allowed the European Investment Bank to tap the new facility for riskier projects or start-up firms. The temporary measures put in place during the pandemic also enabled us to increase the amount of money we lent directly to projects to up to 90%, substantially above the previous cap of 50%. In addition, the European Investment Bank rapidly expanded the amount of additional funds we could lend to existing clients by applying a simplified procedure to top up existing loans by 20% for COVID-19-related activities.

A VERY COMMON CRISIS The problems we have faced in the pandemic of how to jump-start research, development and production of pharmaceutical products that private sector investors were reluctant to adequately finance, is fundamentally similar to the problems we face in promoting innovation in general and confronting other challenges, such as climate change.

Reaching the EU’s ambitious objective of achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2050 will require sustained long-term investment in green innovation, including in un-proven technologies that are still in their pilot phase.

The European Investment Bank has a strategic focus on critical investment gaps and is committed to supporting the development of promising early-stage technologies from demonstration to commercialisation through a variety of innovation finance tools, equity funds, venture debt and advisory services.

Access to finance is often difficult for innovative companies that have yet to make it big. The EIB has therefore developed climate and environmental finance instruments to address market failures and supports investments that are economically viable, but do not receive sufficient commercial finance due to perceived risks.

In this way, we have been successfully nurturing nascent technologies such as offshore wind farms to commercial competitiveness through technical advice and investment.

About the authors: Cristina Niculescu Cristina is a senior life science specialist at the European Investment Bank Nadya Velikova is a life science specialist at the European Investment Bank Auvo KAIKKONEN is head of the EIB Regional Representation for China and Mongolia

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World Bank Projections: PostCOVID Africa Will be a Highly Dynamic Environment

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World Bank Projections: PostCOVID Africa Will be a Highly Dynamic Environment Rising from dark times to bright aspirations.

Recovery, the greatest goal for the struggling SubSaharan Af rican economies. While in some nations more than 50 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, in this region only 6 percent are inoculated, the lowest vaccination rate in the world at the moment.

A disparity that speaks volumes about the very limited resources in various Af rican countries, funds that can make a difference when it comes to addressing COVID-19 and its many ongoing variants.

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World B ank Projections: Post- COVI D Africa Will be a High ly Dynamic Environment

Vulnerable to new strains of the virus, this poses a great

With more than 10 million doses administered to 30

threat to any future recovery plans. So it’s time for Africa

percent of Rwanda’s population, the country has one of

to learn f rom past mistakes and embrace innovative

the highest vaccination rates in the continent, walking

solutions on all fronts, a mindset that is now well-

steadily to the path of faster recovery.

positioned but badly executed.

POSITIVE OUTCOMES A NEW OUTLOOK

According to experts at the World Bank, the Sub-Saharan

Despite all the aggressive challenges, we saw

African economy will emerge from recession to levels of

outstanding examples at the start of the year; like South

growth at 3.3 percent in 2021, all due to serious ongoing

Af rica, in which private consumption, commercial and

expansions within the industrial and services sector.

industrial sectors showed a “faster-than expected”

Tremendous gains in private consumption are also

recovery, fostering feelings of hope that were already lost

expected as foreign investment will play a leading role in

in the difficulties of the year.

satisfying new demands.

But there are lots of hurdles ahead, the Delta variant

A rapid pace of vaccination is needed at this very moment

derailed most of the projections, and the authorities had

in order to foster any possibilities of major recovery. Those

to raise lockdown measures to levels of higher restriction

efforts are the main reason why some developed nations

for the whole population. On the other hand, the

are enjoying high levels of growth, openness and success

government doubled down on the Temporary Employee/

against the different variants of COVID-19 throughout

Employer Relief Scheme, negotiating wages leading to

2021.

more positive directions.

Ghana has managed to keep the virus from spreading In the case of Rwanda, the government is trying every

lately, while providing the necessary support to the most

measure within reach to boost the pace of immunization

affected households. Its exports in agriculture and heavy

as industrial production dropped to 14 percent. “We

industry brought crucial gains to the country at the start

totally understand that vaccines do not provide a

of 2021, as it managed to serve the international demand

hundred percent immunity against COVID, but it helps to

with outstanding performance.

prevent the severe symptoms in groundbreaking ways”, said the health minister.

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As oil prices surged, the same happened to Chad, Gabon

the wheel towards reconstruction just like Chad did last

and Cameroon, nations that benefited greatly from

June.

petroleum exports and the digitalization of tax and custom processes, generating more public revenue that

NIGERIAN LEADERSHIP IS KEY

can then be used by governments in the ambitious task of

When its economy grew at 5 percent during Q2 of 2021,

containing COVID within their borders.

Nigeria managed to defy expectations and surprise many

RESTRUCTURING DEBT

skeptics. This is not only a great example of resilience and outstanding management to other African nations

The levels of public debt in Africa have increased in record

but also the world, as the agriculture sector grew 6.7

breaking ways, but the scenario was very similar pre-

percent, and the service sector had an impressive boost

COVID. On average, gross debt will climb up to 71

of 9.27 percent.

percent of the GDP across the region during 2021, a difference of 30 points in less than 10 years. Here’s when

The main factor behind all these impressive achievements

$9 billion dollars in Eurobonds come into place, with

is the integration and aggressive adoption of digital

Ghana being the largest issuer of them all at $3 billion.

technologies to boost productivity, fostering employment opportunities for young women as the workforce gets

There’s no lie, the pandemic has been a catalyst of

more diversified with talent.

vulnerability in the region, more than any other factor in the last 5 years; governments and businesses know this

Recent reports indicate that economic activity in Africa

and are working to overturn this whole situation.

will surely strengthen as more countries find innovative ways to combat the pandemic. With projections

One of the most critical assignments is to improve and

that range from 2.3 to 3.4 percent, the international

restructure debt and the transparency of handling it,

community will surely have their eyes fixated upon any

according to experts at the World Bank this will be an

possible scenario for 2022, as demand for products and

integral step in trying to close the wide gaps of execution

services will rise in parallel with peculiar investment

and reporting. While progress is slow we can see how

opportunities. The ones who are willing to face the risks

bilateral agreements are functioning as planned, steering

are taking action right now.

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The city of Durban (eThekwini Municipality) is South Africa’s second most important economic region

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Extensive first-world road, rail, sea and air

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BUY LOCAL INVEST LOCAL Let’s come together and heal as a nation.

Let’s focus on renewing, restoring and rebuilding successful partnerships and investment opportunities so we can get back to promoting our city as the ideal destination for business and pleasure to the rest of the world.

Your support coupled with our world-class infrastructure, innovative business environment and ever evolving investment opportunities, means we can get back to ‘connecting continents’ in no time.

Tel: +27 31 311 4227 Email: invest@durban.gov.za web: invest.durban

#investdurban

Dube TradePort and King Shaka International Airport - 60year Master Plan - driving growth of aerotropolis, or airport city 0 01 00 1

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Rated in top 5 ‘Quality of Living’ cities in Africa and Middle East by Mercer Consulting in 2015

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5 ways for sustainably minded companies to build a post-pandemic work model

By Shankar Raman COVID-19 has transformed the very nature of the employee-employer relationship, accelerating trends that were already in play and calling into question many things we took for granted before the pandemic – such as being required to work on-site. Many employees are fundamentally reconsidering what they want f rom their careers and how they want to work.

And millions are quitting their jobs. Employers are not only trying to determine how to support the individual needs of a diverse workforce but also are reconsidering many of the basics of how work gets done today.

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5 ways for sustainably minded companies to build a post-pandemic work model

How organizations balance business sustainability with

proactive hybrid work strategy will enable employers to

supporting employee needs is key as we create a new

rethink how and where work gets done while continuing

post-pandemic normal. Here, we delve into how the

to focus on the employee experience. This will strengthen

way work is getting done is evolving and businesses’

employee engagement and enhance productivity.

increasing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

2. NEW PRIORITY FOR THE OFFICE SPACE

Not all of these trends may impact organizations equally,

Before the pandemic, more often than not the primary

but it’s important for employers to take note as they start

purpose of the office was to serve as a quiet space to do

planning for a sustainable work model in the wake of

individual work, and secondarily as a place to collaborate

COVID-19.

and communicate with colleagues. What’s becoming

1. HYBRID WORK MODEL

clearer, is that the office or workplace will evolve and centre more around collaboration, rather than the

Most employees want to come back to the office in

traditional quiet environment of individual work. Our

some form. Over the course of the pandemic when most

Flexible Work and Rewards Survey 2021 found that over a

people worked remotely, there seemed to be an uptick

third of employers expect budget reductions in real estate

in productivity. However, people are increasingly feeling

(36%). Almost every organization is planning to retain at

disconnected f rom their colleagues and workplace, and

least some office space for collaboration.

they want to return to work, typically two or three days a week, according to our 2020 Global Benefits Attitudes

And what is also becoming increasingly clear is that

Survey. For example, our survey of employees found that

remote work is good when workers are doing traditional

almost four in 10 employees (38%) would prefer a mixed

transactional work or even incremental innovation. But

on-site/work-from-home experience.

doing innovative or transformational work remotely is proving difficult because it requires frequent

We suggest employers consider preparing hybrid working

collaboration. So employers are going to need in-office

models to address employee demands. The best way to

collaboration to drive transformative innovation through

plan is to first understand the needs of different employee

constructive conflict.

segments and the type of work that’s being done. A

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3. ACCELERATION OF DIGITALIZATION The use of collaborative tools such as Teams and Zoom

4. DEI SENSITIVITY

reflects the acceleration of digitalization. But we’re

The pandemic has had different impacts and driven

also seeing an increase in investments in areas such

distinct experiences among various employee groups

as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), data and

– women, people in caregiving roles, people of colour,

analytics, blockchain and cryptocurrency.

working parents, lower-income groups etc. Profound questions related to DEI have come to the forefront.

Now, since many are working remotely, we’re leaving

As employers start planning for new ways of working,

a much larger digital “footprint”. The data created can

they could unwittingly create inequities on multiple

help us drive better decision-making. Companies that

dimensions: pay, benefits and career prospects.

use AI-based tools to drive better employee experiences and ensure more personalized experiences will see better

Organizations should monitor the impact of their policies

results.

on groups that could be at risk of being treated in an inequitable manner or be impacted by unconscious

Organizations are beginning to use automation and

bias in the workplace. They will also need to prepare

network analysis. The beauty of Teams, Zoom or other

managers to be aware of these issues, ensure that they

collaborative tools is that HR can use data generated

lead in an inclusive way and be aware enough to change

f rom these tools to assess how much time and with

flexible working policies that result in inadvertent bias.

whom employees are collaborating, giving a better

Employers should be reviewing their rewards offering, and

understanding of networks within an organization and

understanding the preferences and impacts of current

how collaboration is being enabled.

benefit provisions on different worker cohorts to identify areas for improvement.

We also expect that digitalization will lead to the development of new business models within existing companies, increased adoption of blockchain and the proliferation of new payment mechanisms, including cryptocurrency.

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5. THE ESG IMPERATIVE ESG is increasingly becoming a boardroom conversation, with climate change as a central topic. With the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report providing dire warnings about the impact of global warming, companies are becoming more conscious about their carbon footprints. Many have announced that they are going to drive toward net-zero carbon emissions.

From our perspective, as companies move to a hybrid work environment, they have to consciously make choices and adopt a strategy toward reducing their carbon footprints and achieving their netzero ambitions. This could have profound effects on companies’ business models and value chains.

Climate change is also becoming an important narrative of the employee value proposition. Increasingly employees are asking questions such as: What are you doing about climate change? Do you have an active policy? An employer’s answers might impact prospective employee decisions regarding whether they join the organization or not – especially important amid competitive labour markets and many employees quitting their jobs. Similarly, answers to those questions can help retain employees too.

In addition, organizations will come under greater scrutiny in terms of corporate governance and social practices. They will need to take a proactive approach to ESG and increasingly report on ESG metrics that reflect their strategies. In the longer run, successful companies will embed ESG into their business strategies.

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Turkey - ready for transformation in global economy

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Turkey - ready for transformation in global economy A resilient, fast-growing economy, Turkey offers business-friendly policies, agile talent pool and global market access at the nexus of Europe, Asia and Africa to attract sustainable FDI. Adapting itself to the challenges and transformations in the world economy and emerging as a post-pandemic supply demand hub in the global value chain (GVC), Turkey has been one of the fastest recovering economies in the world in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak, expanding 7.4 percent y-o-y in the third quarter of 2021. For year-end 2021, Turkey’s GDP growth is projected to accelerate and reach double-digit numbers.

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Turkey - ready for transformation in global economy

Turkey’s resilient economy has been a favorite target of 18 years. Turkey continued to attract greenfield and

PROXIMITY TO SOURCE AND DESTINATION MARKETS

expansion investments along with merger & acquisition

With its favorable geostrategic location, multinational

projects in various sectors, also witnessing a rise in

companies have already made Turkey their home to run

interest of financial investors, successful funding of

their business in the region by leveraging its location as

startups and exits with lucrative returns. In the last year,

a manufacturing, exports, R&D and management hub.

the Turkish entrepreneurship sector has seen 5 unicorns,

Better still, Turkey is poised to offer more companies easy

including an IPO in NASDAQ.

access to multiple markets in its immediate vicinity on top

investors during the pandemic, as it was over the last

of a host of other market advantages.

As the economy is recovering f rom the pandemic, the quality of economic growth is also increasing in Turkey with significant contributions from net exports to

QUALIFIED LABOR FORCE

the Euro Area as external demand firmed. Turkey has

Turkey’s domestic labor force has been one of the most

developed a strong and diversified export capabilities so

dynamic in the region. Besides, the country offers a

that products manufactured in Turkey have been making

productive pool of qualified engineers and competent

their way to the international markets in a broader scope

senior managers with international experience.

and scale in terms of the volume and variety. Besides the European Union, which is still having a dominant role, other regions of the world, specifically United States, Middle East and Af rican countries are now counted among Turkey’s top export destinations. In 2020, despite the interruptions in the global supply chains and serious disruptions in manufacturing, Turkey scored USD 170 billion exports, while yearly exports reached USD 221 billion in November 2021, the highest amount in the

LIBERAL INVESTMENT CLIMATE WITH AN EXTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL TRADE NETWORKS Having a customs union with the European Union (EU) and free trade agreements in place with over 28 countries, Turkey has a vast commercial network. Businesses functional in Turkey have access to approximately 1 billion potential customers with no custom restrictions or tariffs.

Republic’s history.

That being said, why do multinationals opt for Turkey as a robust GVC link?

STRONG AND DIVERSE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES Buoyed up by state support, Turkey’s manufacturing base is diverse and robust. According to a World Bank report, Turkey’s manufacturing base has moved up the value chain, having transitioned f rom limited manufacturing to advanced manufacturing. Turkey’s manufacturing

INCENTIVES FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS

sector has attracted more than USD 40 billion worth of

The incentives have been one of the main instruments to

investment over the past 18 years.

transform Turkey’s economy toward higher added-value

DEVELOPED AND TECH-SUPPORTED LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE

services. The incentive system of Turkey is mainly based on tax discounts and tax exemptions. The scope of the incentive is determined according to the qualification of

Being attached to the fact that logistics is a key to a major

the investment, type of product and the location where

role in GVCs, Turkey has made massive investments in

the investment will take place. Medium high-tech and

transport infrastructure over the past decade and a half to

high-tech investments, including products listed by the

create domestic and international transport links.

OECD, receives one of the most generous incentives

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regardless of location. Priority incentives are provided

INVESTMENT OFFICE - YOUR RESILIENT PARTNER

for investments in priority areas, such as investments

Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic

in freight and/or passenger transportation by sea,

of Turkey promotes Turkey’s investment opportunities

airway or railway, energy efficiency, LNG storage, waste

to the global business community and for providing

recycling, nuclear energy plant investments and touristic

assistance to investors before, during, and after their

accommodation investments. The main components

entry into Turkey. Directly reporting to the President of

of the incentive in Turkey are VAT exemption, customs

Turkey, the Investment Office is in charge of encouraging

duty exemption, corporate tax reduction, social security

investments that further enhance the economic

premium support, interest rate support on credits, and

development of Turkey. To this end, the Investment Office

land allocation support.

supports high-tech, value-added, and employment-

TURKEY - AMPLE ROOM FOR GLOBAL INVESTORS

generating investments with its facilitation and follow-up services during whole processes of relevant investments.

In addition, Turkey’s robust economy has been a favorite target of investors over the last 18 years. Investors

Active on a global scale, the Investment Office operates

worldwide sought safe havens that offered high yields and

with a network of local consultants based in a number of

lower risks in the aftermath of the 2008 Global Financial

locations including China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia,

Crisis. Turkey became one of those countries that piqued

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, the

the interest of global investors thanks to its impressive

UAE, and USA. The Investment Office offers an extensive

growth rates and financial reforms.

range of services to investors through a one-stop-shop approach, ensuring that they obtain optimal results from

A diversified economy, a young population with half under age 32.7, and an entrepreneurial business ecosystem supported by reforms stand out as attractive advantages for international companies looking to increase their commitments in Turkey and to grow their investments in the region using Turkey as a springboard.

Turkey has emerged as a strong regional player with global ambitions to be one of the top 10 economies in the world. According to IMF, in 2020, Turkey recorded the second highest growth among G20 countries, becoming the world’s 11th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. In the same period, Turkey was also among the countries with the highest increase in industrial production in the G20.

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their investments in Turkey.

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Investment management delivers for investors during a tumultuous 2020 Assets under management held by Investment Association (IA) members grew to £9.4 trillion in the UK by the end of 2020, an increase of 11% on the previous year, according to the Investment Management Survey (IMS) the annual assessment of the state of the industry.

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Total funds under management (FUM) for UK investors have also seen an 11% increase year on year, reaching £1.4 trillion in 2020. Quick adaptation to home working, a focus on delivering for customers, and crucial interventions f rom the central banks were all key aspects of the industry’s recovery and resilience through the Covid–19 pandemic.

The UK remains the second largest investment management centre in the world behind the United States, and by far the largest investment management centre in Europe with a market share of 37%. The UK’s share of the European market is larger than the combined total of France, Germany and Switzerland. The UK also remains an attractive hub for overseas investors. By the end of 2020, overseas client assets accounted for 44% of total AUM (equivalent to £4.2 trillion).

The growth in assets managed according to responsible investment criteria is one of the standout developments of 2020. The green agenda continues to rise in prominence and investment managers have committed to support the transition to net zero emissions. 49% of total assets managed by IA member firms apply ESG integration, up f rom 37% in 2019. The proportion of assets subject to sustainability focused criteria almost doubled in 2020 to 2.6% of total assets.

CHRIS CUMMINGS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE INVESTMENT ASSOCIATION SAID:

“The investment management industry demonstrated its long termism through the pandemic by supporting the companies it invests in.

The swift action of the central banks supported the global economy and the industry rallied to the cause injecting over £22bn into businesses to help them ride out the storm. But the pandemic wasn’t the only story of 2020. We also saw the acceleration towards a greener economy as retail investors placed record funds into responsible and sustainable investments, seeing a new generation embracing investing.

With the final transition out of the EU completed, the industry is well-set to build on its world class reputation which has already led to it managing £9.4trn of international clients’ funds.”

The IMS also sets out detail on the key themes from 2020, including: the continued growth in responsible and sustainable investing, the growth in private markets, and how the industry has adapted to the post-Brexit landscape

Retail investor appetite for environmentally conscious funds has been building over recent years but the pandemic brought social concerns to the fore, as net retail sales to responsible investment (RI) funds accelerated through 2020 to reach £11.7 billion, a third of overall sales. FUM in responsible investment funds grew by 60% over 2020, pushed higher by strong sales and new fund launches. The percentage of UK investor FUM in RI funds remains small but growing at 3.9% - up f rom 2.6% at the beginning of 2020.

March 2020’s market contraction in the equity and bond markets badly hit asset valuations globally and UK investor FUM fell 11% over March alone. A swift recovery followed as central banks took decisive action to calm markets. However, the recovery in UK equity valuations has lagged other major markets, including the US. AUM in UK equities continued to fall in 2020 - down three percentage points f rom 2019, reaching a record low of 26%, whilst North American equities have grown to account for 23% of equities in 2020. The fall in UK equities also reflects the long-term trend of higher allocation to globally diverse equity and bond strategies. Three quarters of equity assets are now invested overseas compared with just over 50% ten years ago and assets in overseas bonds are 55% of all bond AUM in 2020.

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JAGUAR I-PACE

LOOKING GOOD. FEELING GOOD.

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A

rtists say you can only break the rules if you’ve mastered them.

That’s how Jaguar created the I-PACE – the first and best electric vehicle of its kind.

It’s achieved global recognition for its outstanding design. And won multiple awards. More than that, Jaguar’s allelectric performance SUV offers customers around the world an unrivalled balance of all-wheel drive performance, refinement, luxury and agility – with an outstanding real-world range and day-to-day usability.

I-PACE is capable of up to 470km/292 miles (WLTP test cycle) on a single charge and, at home, up to 53km/33 miles of range (WLTP) can be added per hour using an 11kW AC wall box and three-phase supply.

A 90kWh battery and two Jaguardesigned electric motors, one at each axle, produce 400PS and 696Nm of instant torque, enabling acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds (0-60mph in 4.5 seconds).

All this is matched with technology to make every electric journey in I-PACE simpler and more enjoyable. Pivi Pro infotainment is ready to go by the time you’re in the driving seat and is as intuitive to use as your smartphone.

The navigation can show if nearby charging stations are available or in use, the type of connector they have, what they cost, and how long it will take to charge. On long drives, Pivi Pro can also show your predicted charge level at each waypoint.*

There’s an embedded SIM and a 4G data plan for unlimited music streaming.** A Smartphone Pack with wireless Apple CarPlay® is standard. So is wireless Android Auto™.

And you don’t have to visit a retailer for software updates. I-PACE has software-over-the-air capability, so the infotainment and vehicle systems are always using the latest version – like your smartphone.

Talking of phones, I-PACE can connect two handsets simultaneously. And an optional wireless device charging pad beneath the centre console has a signal booster to improve network reception and Wi-Fi.

The cabin air ionisation system has PM2.5 filtration to capture ultrafine airborne particles and allergens. It can even filter the cabin air before you begin a journey.

Alan Volkaerts, Jaguar’s Vehicle Line Director, said: “When we developed the I-PACE we wanted it to be the world’s most desirable electric vehicle and to show what happens when Jaguar goes electric. I think we achieved those ambitious goals and we’ve made it even better with technology that benefits driver and passengers alike.”

One example is the unobstructed view of what’s behind you on the road – even with tall passengers in the back, or a full load of luggage. The clever optional ClearSight digital rear-view mirror uses a wide-angle, rear-facing camera linked to a screen behind the mirror. You can simply switch between the standard view and the camera feed.

Long motorway journeys are more comfortable thanks to the availability of Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist. It gently assists the steering, acceleration and braking to centre you in your lane while maintaining a set distance from vehicles ahead.

Home charging is faster and more convenient for customers with a threephase electricity supply, thanks to I-PACE’s 11kW on-board charger. When plugged in to an 11kW AC wall box, up to 53km/33 miles of range per hour can be achieved.*** A full charge takes only 8.6 hours – ideal for overnight charging.

Customers with a single-phase supply using a 7kW wall box can achieve up to 35km/22 miles of charge per hour. A full charge takes 12.75 hours.

You can also set a desired start and finish time for charging – helping you take advantage of any reduced-rate electricity tariffs.

When charging away from home, 100kW DC chargers can add up to 127km/78 miles of range*** in just 15 minutes.

Alternatively, 50kW chargers add up to 63km/39 miles over the same period.

A global success and the recipient of 88 automotive awards – including the triple accolades of 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and World Green Car – the I-PACE is the first and best electric vehicle of its kind.

Technology also contributes to cabin air quality, because your comfort and well-being are prioritised in I-PACE.

Specification is market-dependent *Navigation features will continue to be enhanced via software-over-the air updates **4G data plan is subject to market availability. A fair use policy applies. After 20GB of data is used within a month, data speeds and functionality may reduce for the remainder of the month.

For details of the fair usage policy, please refer to the Pivi Pro Terms at www.jaguar.com/pivi-pro-terms ***Range added per one-hour/15-minute period is WLTP range

International Investor Awards Winners 2021 COVID-19 change the way businesses work, the investment community had to take a step further and reinvent in many ways. In order to recognise the effort behind every individual and company during this time, we selected champions f rom a wide range of businesses.

The awards are open to any business, large, mid-size or small, established or start-up, provided they display first rate service, opportunity, innovation and performance.

The following pages celebrate organisations that drive forward the world of international business and investment.

ACTIVTRADES

AGRI DEVELOPMENTS

ALPHA GLOBAL WEATH

Safest Global Broker // 2021

Best Global Agricultural Investment Development Company Of The Year // 2021

Private Banker of The Year // CARICOM 2021

AGRI Developments is a leading private

independent financial advice to

ActivTrades is a leading brokerage serving clients in over 140 countries.

Launched in 2001 as a pioneer in online trading empowering a new generation of traders, today ActivTrades is a multiple award-winning, multi-platform global organisation which leads the way as a highly reputable and innovative brokerage. Initially specialising in Forex it gradually expanded the range of products and currently offers over 1000 CFDs or Spread Betting instruments across Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Financials and ETFs. Alongside MetaTrader, the world’s most popular trading platform enhanced with Smart Tools developed exclusively for its customers, the brokerage offers ActivTrader, its own intuitive and fullyfeatured platform designed for all levels of trading experience and available on desktop, smartphone and tablet.

Headquartered in the City of London and with additional offices in Milan, Nassau, Sofia and Luxembourg, it delivers superior trading conditions and outstanding customer care in 14 languages across the globe.

Visit ActivTrades Website www.activtrades.com/en/

alternative asset company specializing

Alpha Global Wealth provides exceptional international professionals in Switzerland and around the globe.

in the agricultural industry. We seek emerging opportunities globally with an objective of delivering long term value in high growth developing sectors within the

We pride ourselves on only employing fully UK qualified Wealth Managers who

industry.

can offer first-class financial advice to

As the world’s population increases,

for our clients and offer 24/7 access

our clients. We achieve the very best

the need for more food and investment into productive and sustainable uses

to our services. Our reputation speaks for itself as over 80% of our business is generated from our existing clients’

of land become increasingly urgent. At

recommendations.

AGRI Developments we are committed to developments that deliver a positive impact which goes far beyond profitability and encompasses corporate social responsibility as well as providing benefits

What we do We provide tailored wealth advisory, investment services, pension services,

on a socioeconomic level.

insurance and lifestyle solutions.

By 2050 Earth will need to produce 70%

Who we help

more food to feed an additional 2.5 billion people, whilst arable land decreases. AGRI Developments, in support of the world’s needs, always aims to do more with less.

By creating more value with less risk, by producing more crops from less land and generating more business with less of an

As an international expatriate or localised foreigner, you have specific financial opportunities and challenges to manage.

We design our financial advice and tax solutions around the unique situation of you and your family. You will have access to your own dedicated Wealth Manager as

ecological footprint.

well as our whole team of financial experts

www.agridevelopments.com

in depth. We are a Swiss registered limited

who will consider your individual situation company with our head offices in Geneva.

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International I nvestor Awards Winners 2021

ARCA FONDI

BGL CORPORATE SOLUTIONS

BTG PACTUAL

Digital Wealth Management Company Of TheYear // Italy 2021

Most Innovative Fintech Company // Australia 2021

Best Investment Banking Services // Colombia 2021

Digital Portfolio Management Platform Of The Year // Europe 2021 (ARCACLICK)

BGL delivers SMSF administration and

BTG Pactual is the largest investment

corporate compliance management

bank in Latin America. Its principal

software solutions to over 8,000

business lines are related with Investment

businesses in 15 countries – all through its

Banking, Corporate Solutions, Sales &

user-f riendly and highly intelligent web

Trading, Wealth Management and Asset

applications, combining amazing UX with

Management. BTG Pactual is managed

powerful technology.

according to a meritocratic culture

Arca Fondi SGR is an Italian active asset management company, founded in 1983 by the association of 12 cooperative banks.

Today, Arca Fondi manages around €32 billion divided between mutual funds, pension funds, and institutional accounts.

Thanks to a network of distributors made up of more than 100 banks and other

focused on the client, excellence and a Founded in 1983 with only 2 employees,

long-term vision. It currently has 4903

BGL has grown to be the #1 developer

employees through offices in Brazil,

of compliance software solutions in the

Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, , Mexico,

world – employing an amazing team of

United States, Portugal and England.

170+ people across the globe!

financial institutions scattered throughout the country, its client base is made up of over 800 000 investors. With almost forty years of experience, Arca has established itself as one of the country’s main asset managers.

The strength of Arca Fondi is its people.

Teams who continuously improve themselves to achieve corporate goals.

The corporate culture nurtures talent in an environment that encourages selfimprovement and striving for excellence.

Thanks to numerous innovative processes implemented in recent years, the customer has been placed at the centre of every single activity. The professionalism and creativity of all employees make Arca Fondi the ideal partner for the investor looking for reliability and safety.

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For additional visit www.btgpactual.com

DOMINION FUNDS

HPS

INVEST IN DURBAN

Best Thematic Investment Management Firm // UK 2021

Most Comprehensive Payment Solution // Africa 2021, Excellence in Corporate Governance and CSR // Morocco 2021

Best FDI Agency // Africa 2021, Rusell Curtis: FDI CEO of the year // Africa 2021

HPS is a multinational company and a

between the Metro City Council and

Dominion is a Fund Management company established in 2004. Dominion specializes in thematic investment built around the concept of Global Trends. The Dominion Funds are high performance and easy to understand capturing investment opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

As an independent company with entrepreneurial qualities, Dominion is wholly owned by the management Team and members of the Investment and Operations Team are stakeholders in the Company.

Dominion is determined to fulfil its vision in creating value for investors and its highly skilled and experienced Investment Team based in the City of London work towards this goal constantly and have a long track record of delivering consistent, robust performance for our investors.

From the outset, Dominion sought to create the type of Funds that the Team itself would want to invest in. For this reason, the first investors in Dominion’s

Invest Durban acts as a partnership the private business sector, offering

leading provider of payment solutions

a free investor advisory service, plus

and services for issuers, acquirers,

key promotion, facilitation, aftercare

card processors, independent sales

services between all investment

organisations (ISOs), retailers, mobile network operators (MNOs), and national & regional switches around the world.

stakeholders.Invest Durban delivers a world-classMetro based investor support service,encompassing our four-part

PowerCARD is HPS ‘comprehensive

businessmandate, namely investment

suite of solutions that covers the entire

promotion and marketing; foreign

payment value chain by enabling

investment identification, attraction and

innovative payments through its open

facilitation;FDI aftercare and expansion,

platform that allows the processing of any transaction coming from any channel initiated by any means-of-payment.

plus investment advocacy.Invest Durban works closely with theDepartment of Trade & Industry includingInvest SA, Trade

PowerCARD is used by more than 450

and Investment KZN(TIKZN), the Durban

institutions in over 90 countries.

Chamber ofCommerce and Industry, the

HPS has been listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange since 2006 and has offices located in major business centres (Africa,

KZN GrowthCoalition, and state-owned enterprises such as Dube Trade Port, the

Europe, Asia, Middle East).

DBSA, IDC,Eskom & others. Key partners

For more information:

advisory firms,plus sector-based organised

www.hps-worldwide.com

include the largest banks, audit and business bodies working in concert to promote investment in Durban.

Global Trends Funds were the company’s Management Team, and they remain investors today.

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International I nvestor Awards Winners 2021

INVEST IN TURKIYE

KBZ BANK

MULTIBANK GROUP

FDI Agency OfThe Year // Eurasia 2021

Best Bank // Myanmar 2021 Best In Digital Transformation // Myanmar 2021

Best Global FX Group 2021

A resilient, fast-growing economy, Turkey offers business-f riendly policies, agile talent pool and global market access at the nexus of Europe, Asia and Africa to attract sustainable FDI. The Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey is the official organization for promoting Turkey’s investment opportunities to the global business community and for providing assistance to investors before, during, and after their entry into Turkey. Directly reporting to the President of Turkey, the Investment Office is in charge of encouraging high-tech, value-added, and employment-generating investments that further enhance the economic development of Turkey, with its facilitation and follow-up services during whole processes of relevant investments.

Active on a global scale, the Investment Office operates with a network of local consultants based in a number of locations worldwide and offers an extensive range of services to investors through a one- stop-shop approach, ensuring that they obtain optimal results f rom their investments in Turkey.

For over two decades, KBZ Bank has been part of Myanmar’s growth story, working tirelessly to strengthen communities and institutions for the long term and to improve the quality of life for all.

As Myanmar’s largest privately-owned bank, we represent nearly 40 percent of both retail and commercial banking in the country, driving the success of the nation’s entrepreneurs, businesses and communities.

Today, KBZ Bank is helping to fast-track Myanmar’s development in the digital age, embracing next-generation banking.

We have seized the advantages of mobilefirst technology in promoting financial inclusion and connecting our customers to the people, opportunities and places that they value most. Through KBZPay, Myanmar’s fastest-growing mobile wallet, we have brought banking beyond our 500 branches and to even more communities.

We are also transforming from the inside out, drawing on the latest technologies to work more efficiently and serve our customers better, while developing the bankers and leaders of the future.

The future of Myanmar will be built on the strength of its key institutions and KBZ Bank is leading the way.

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Established 16 years ago in California, MultiBank Group has consistently invested in technology to enhance their financial portfolio, ensuring not only scale and scope but improving user experiences and offering new trading opportunities.

The Group and its subsidiaries are licensed and regulated worldwide through respected authorities including ASIC, BaFin, FMA, CNMV, FSC, CIMA, and DFSA. This means that clients can trade with full confidence while enjoying complete security of funds with segregated accounts, the most favorable trading conditions including leverage up to 500:1 on a wide range of over 15,000 instruments, the tightest spreads in the industry starting from 0.0 pips, and 100% ECN platform.

Today, MultiBank Group boasts a paid-up capital of US$322+ million, a client-base of 320,000+ and a daily trading volume of US$7+ billion, making it one of the largest financial derivatives providers worldwide.

For more information please visit: www.multBibankfx.com

LOTUS CAPITAL

WHITESTAR ASSET SOLUTION

YEMPO

Best Islamic Investment Company // Western Africa 2021

Excellence in CSR // Portugal 2021, Best Asset Management Service Provider // Portugal 2021

Best Offshore Employment Solution Provider // Asia 2021

Founded in 2007, Whitestar Asset

is a high-value multi-award winning

Lotus Capital Limited is a full-service ethical investment management company specializing in Asset Management, Private Wealth Management and Financial Advisory services. Lotus Capital is a pioneer in non-interest finance in Nigeria and duly registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) as Fund Managers.

Our company has consistently contributed towards the growth of non-interest finance in the Nigerian capital market.

In the last 15years since our inception, we launched the first Halal Exchange Traded Fund and Halal Fixed Income Fund in Nigeria. We were Financial Adviser and Issuing House to three (3) highly successful Sukuk issuances in Nigeria.

We are also the first Nigerian company to launch an index in partnership with the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Yempo (“Your Employees Offshore”) offshore outsourcing company, operating

Solutions, S.A. is the leading Servicer in Portugal managing credit portfolios, including performing, sub-performing and non-performing portfolios and real estate, offering an integrated and complete asset management service for investors and

in 3 locations in the Philippines.

Yempo’s clients enjoy all the benefits of outsourcing alongside the peace of mind that their offshore resources are provided with excellent benefits and working environments, within a professional and

originators.

collaborative culture.

We guarantee an offer of related services, such as consulting, real estate management, securitization and

Specializing in senior talent, Yempo’s hundreds of employees range from IT specialists (developers, testers, engineers

structuring, business analytics, among others.

and technical support analysts), Finance

In 2015, Whitestar was acquired by Arrow

and Marketing, Engineering and Customer

Global Group (UK), becoming one of the main European economic groups operating in the market for acquisition and management of credit portfolios.

staff (accountants, bookkeepers, CPAs) Support talent.

Co-founders Michelle Fiegehen and Ian Parkin have long career histories in corporate environments in Australia, Asia, US and the UK and developed the

We currently manage 3 mutual funds

Yempo model to be flexible and low risk.

listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

As a result, Yempo enjoys high retention

Our goal is to build long-term wealth for

and low attrition of both clients and

our clients by leveraging our expertise to

employees.

provide innovative and viable alternatives to conventional finance, thereby helping

Yempo enables clients to have their own

our customers align their finances with

fully managed offshore team, without the

their values.

overhead of an offshore entity.

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CHOICE OVER 15,000 INSTRUMENTS